Need fast path to VB.NET

I see general messages about how to learn .NET but I have an immediate
requirement to ramp up my old skills very quickly.

Can anyone recommend the FASTEST way for me to get almost-competent in
VB.NET (C# will come later)? This must be an online or book adventure because
I can't totally disappear to attend physical classes.

I have 15 years experience with commercial VB & C development, and I
understand OO & database. I'm looking for a crash course that will jump me
ahead quickly from VB6 (couple-few weeks...?) and not make me slog through
stuff I already know or don't care about for this project.

Cost doesn't matter too much. The limiting factor will be how quickly I can
suck it up. Speed is the key.

Thanks for your advice-

Re: Need fast path to VB.NET

There's really two separate (but related) things you need to learn. The
VB.Net language and the .Net framework. I'd say it's more important for you
to focus on learning the .Net framework. You can pick up the basic VB.Net
syntax in a few days. However, all the real meat of your applications (File
I/O, Networking, GUI classes, etc.) is actually handled by the .Net
framework so it's crucial to learn what classes are available and how to
use them.

To learn the language, I recommend Programming Visual Basic .Net, 2nd
edition & VB.Net Language Pocket Reference both published by O'Reilly.

For learning the .Net framework I recommend picking up a decent framework
reference book for the domain you are working in. For example windows
application, web development or mobile device.

With books in hand you'll want to go over the table of contents of all the
books and get familiar with what topics they cover. You'll then want to
read through in depth the introductory chapters which will give you the
overview of .Net development. Follow that up with digging in deeper on the
Visual Basic .Net books to learn the syntax and get a feel for the
language. After that re-read the table of contents and chapter summaries of
the .Net framework books. This time you are trying to take note of what
types of classes are available. You're goal is to be familiar enough with
what is there so that you know where to look quickly when you need to do
something new. For example, you'll know that File I/O was discussed in a
particular book so you can get to it quick. This shouldn't take you more
than a week as you won't be reading the full books, you'll just be
orienting yourself.

At this point you'll have the basic VB.Net syntax down, a basic
understanding of what .Net is and at least an idea of what classes are
available. Now pick something to write. It should be something fairly
complex, but with minimal user interaction. The reason for minimal UI is
because you don't want to waste time writing fluff code dealing with user
input. Coding up button click events and checking input parameters on text
boxes is trivial so you don't want to waste time on it right now. I
recommend you instead focus on a class library of some sort and only use
what GUI is necessary to test the class. For example, when I was learning
C# I chose to implement a basic blowfish encryption library. It was complex
enough that I had to utilize a bunch of different concepts but simple
enough that I didn't get overwhelmed.

This is pretty well exactly the method I took (except C#) and after 2 weeks
I had enough of a grounding to start work on some actual projects at work.
As I moved forward from this point, I followed it up with the in-depth
studying concurrently with actual work. For that I recommend reading
through the Microsoft Certification that are relevant to your job. They do
an excellent job of filling in the gaps in your knowledge that you'll have
from an accelerated regimen like you are going to do.

--
Andrew Faust
andrew[at]andrewfaust.com
http://www.andrewfaust.com


"Jay Vinton" wrote in message
news:9F362DE8-C5EB-44FD-A8DC-74F11B42359C@microsoft.com...
>I see general messages about how to learn .NET but I have an immediate
> requirement to ramp up my old skills very quickly.
>
> Can anyone recommend the FASTEST way for me to get almost-competent in
> VB.NET (C# will come later)? This must be an online or book adventure
> because
> I can't totally disappear to attend physical classes.
>
> I have 15 years experience with commercial VB & C development, and I
> understand OO & database. I'm looking for a crash course that will jump
> me
> ahead quickly from VB6 (couple-few weeks...?) and not make me slog
> through
> stuff I already know or don't care about for this project.
>
> Cost doesn't matter too much. The limiting factor will be how quickly I
> can
> suck it up. Speed is the key.
>
> Thanks for your advice-

Re: Need fast path to VB.NET

"Jay Vinton" wrote in message
news:9F362DE8-C5EB-44FD-A8DC-74F11B42359C@microsoft.com...
>I see general messages about how to learn .NET but I have an immediate
> requirement to ramp up my old skills very quickly.
>
> Can anyone recommend the FASTEST way for me to get almost-competent in
> VB.NET (C# will come later)? This must be an online or book adventure
> because
> I can't totally disappear to attend physical classes.
>
> I have 15 years experience with commercial VB & C development, and I
> understand OO & database. I'm looking for a crash course that will jump me
> ahead quickly from VB6 (couple-few weeks...?) and not make me slog through
> stuff I already know or don't care about for this project.
>
> Cost doesn't matter too much. The limiting factor will be how quickly I
> can
> suck it up. Speed is the key.
>

You get the VB.Net book, put the CSLA Framework together, and put the
project together to use the CSLA Framework. It's not about trying to
implement the CSLA Framework, but rather, the usage of the basic objects
and how those objects are being use to produce a solution in VB.Net

If you say you understand OO and database concepts, then you'll say to
yourself, I see what is happening with the basic objects being used, I can
take those basics, I can make my own objects and run with it. You'll see the
power of .Net not only from a Web solution but also from a Windows Desktop
solution standpoint, as they are both using the same objects in the Tracker
Project.

You'll get a crash course real fast. :)

http://www.lhotka.net/Default.aspx

You might want to view the shows.

MODEL-VIEW-PRESENTER

http://www.polymorphicpodcast.com/

click 'Shows'

click 'Design Patterns Bootcamp: Model View * Patterns*

view parts 1-5

You can use Google to get more information about this or find books.

As a matter of fact, you can view all the other shows.

You should be able to find books and articles about MVP.

RE: Need fast path to VB.NET

Thanks to Andrew & Mr. Arnold. for excellent advice. I've been following both
plans and I'm progressing rapidly.